His Grace

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"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."

John

Niagara Falls, Ontario

A Christless Society

As the winds of lawlessness Blow across our space, It chills the love in our hearts; The world is a colder place. Good is now called evil; Evil is now called good. Because lawlessness abounds, The love of many grows cold.

Policies and plans can’t curb What’s going on in our world; We’re a broken and sinful society Who needs the forgiveness of God.

Take Jesus out of our culture, Take Jesus out of our conscience, The vacuum fills up with corruption, A disease of chaos and violence.

Do you know the depth of God’s love? How can we not understand That He sent His only Son To die for the sins of man?

Christian, this is the season

To be a reflection of kindness; To make a difference by shining Our light in the midst of darkness.

(Matthew 24:12)

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

Happy New Year to all of our readers, and thank you for your faithfulness of reading His Grace every month. Here we are in the beginning of another new year. As of the start of every year, we wonder what it might bring.

As time goes on, we are drawing ever closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are seeing such things much clearer these days and how things may play out; such things as a One World Government and the Mark of the Beast. We can now see how these things could happen for the very first time.

Christian persecution that we have read about in books and the

Are you right with God?

bible is at an all-time high.

I recently read an article that said thirteen Christians a day are killed because of their faith. 309 million Christians now live in places with high or extreme levels of persecution. Those figures are up from 260 million this time last year. Also, every day twelve churches are attacked, twelve Christians are arrested or imprisoned or abducted.

One of the countries that are mentioned is North Korea. Christians are seen as hostile elements that are to be eradicated. Christians are not allowed to exist in Afghanistan. In Somalia, Christians are high value targets. In Libya, they face deadly abuse and violence. Christians are attacked constantly in Pakistan. In Sudan, Christians are targets of persecution. In Eritrea, Christians are imprisoned and left to die in shipping containers. In Yemen, Christians live not only in a civil war and

famine but they face the fear of attacks. It is illegal in Iran to convert or to preach the word of God. There is unprecedented violence against Christians in India. Our fellow Christians around the world face persecution every single day. These are just a taste of some of the horrible things Christians have to endure every single day. We have been blessed, but persecution is also on its way here. We see it in the United States, and in some stories

I have read, here as well. But as time goes on, the persecution will get worse all around the world, until the Rapture comes for us. So my question to all of you is, 'Are you ready? Are you right with God?'

This is the time to do that self-check. So many people think they are Christians, but unfortunately just because people call themselves Christians, it doesn't mean they are. So many people are going around with unforgivingness

in their hearts and holding on to grudges, not to mention other things that we are commanded to let go of. I even notice these days that alot of people are wearing cross necklaces, yet alot of them are not even Christians. I guess it just means that it's a piece of jewelry now, which I find sad. The point is that anyone nowa-days can say they're Christian, but are they really?

The truth is, there are no guarantees in life. James 4:13-15 says, "Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;" whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

To be right with God, we need to figure out what is wrong with us,

Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood

and the answer to that is sin. There is no one that does good, no not even one. Psalm 14:3 says, "They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one." We have all turned against God's commands, one time or another. Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way: And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Unfortunately, the thing with committing sin is that the end result is death. Death was brought into the world when Eve and Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. If they had not sinned, they would have never died, but after the fall of man, death became part of life. But the good news, which means Gospel, is that our loving God found us to bring us salvation, in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that His soul purpose was to seek out and save them that were lost, as in

Are you right with God?

Luke 19:10, "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." When Jesus was on the cross, He took everyone's sins who had ever lived and who will ever live on this earth upon Himself. He said that His purpose was done, just before He died on the cross. John 19:30 says, "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." Having the right relationship with God starts with confessing your sins to Him. While we are on our knees in prayer with Him, we are to humble ourselves and confess all of our sins to God. Romans

10:10 says, "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Our repentance must be followed with faith, the faith that we know that Jesus died on the cross for us and three days later

was resurrected as our Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:9 says, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Many other scriptures speak of faith being so essential to us, such as Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Also, Galations 2:16 says, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."

Being right with God is totally up to you. When we consider all that He has so wonderfully done for us, from all the blessings we have received from

Him to the fact that He sent us a Savior, God provided the perfect sacrifice to take all our sins away forever. John 1:29 says, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" And also Acts 2:21 says, "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Not only do we need to know we are right with God, but we also must be a real Christian, not one that just says they are.

Would you believe someone when they said they played hockey professionally, yet they couldn't skate? Or would you give money for a cause of saving the forest, then find out the one who is in charge of the campaign works for a logging company?

Would you truly care about their cause?

We can actually ask the same question of anyone who claims to be a Christian. Can we

Are you right with God?

truly be called a Christian if we don't know what it means to truly follow Jesus? If we're not committed to walk in the way of Jesus Christ, then how can we be called Christians? We can now look to answering a few of these questions. One thing to remember is that Jesus told us there would be people who would claim to be believers, but they are not saved and these people would face eternal judgment in hell. Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" It's so important that people

know what it takes to be a true Christian and if they have their salvation.

1. Do you Pray? As it is important for us to talk with our parents, children, boss, employees, etc. We also need to have good communication skills with God; it is absolutely essential. We need to go to Him in prayer at least three times a day, and have a heartfelt, passionate prayer with Him. We truly need to pray without ceasing, and give thanks to Jesus for everything in our lives, so when we are walking around, working, no matter what we are doing, we can pray in our mind, or just have a talk with Him, as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

2. Do you read AND obey the bible? The bible is a living book; it has everything in it that we need to live a godly life. God also shows us how to live in

His will for our lives. It also tells us what is to come in the future. As Christians, we should be reading the bible every day and night. It truly is a great way to get to know God and how He works. He tells us who He is, what He has done, and what He is going to do. The bible says that if we truly love God, we will obey Him. 1 John 5:3 says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." We should be reading it, not because we have to, but because we want to.

3. What is the most important thing in your life? We all value the time we can spend with our families, and friends; these are all good things in our lives, but we must put Jesus first every single time - Jesus first, family and friends second, ourselves last. Luke 14:26-27 says, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,

yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Now the ancient near eastern concepts of the word 'hate' didn't mean the intense feelings of loathing or revulsion, as it does here in the western part of the world today. To hate something meant to place it in a lower position than something else. Jesus wasn't encouraging His followers to loathe their families, but rather to make sure that God reigns supreme in their lives.

4. How do you respond to sin? Sin is everything that we do wrong in God's eyes. It can be done in thought, word or in actions, according to God's Holy word. God's standards are much higher than ours, where if you lust over someone, He sees that as adultery and if you hate someone, He sees that as murder. When you disobey God, do you admit you were wrong and that you sinned against Him, or

do you just try to sweep it under the rug and hide it from God? Do you think it was a mistake that won't happen again, or do you just think to yourself that it was a one-time thing, no worries? We, as Christians, must always own up to it; we must admit it to God that we have sinned and ask God for His forgiveness. Only when we do this are we forgiven by God. 1 John 1:8-10 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." If we don't confess, He won't forgive us and He will not listen to our prayers. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear."

Are you right with God?

We must seek God's face for His help to overcome any sin, because those who continue in the same sin are not truly saved and are not Christians.

1 John 3:4-10 says, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children

of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother."

5. Has your life changed? The life of a Christian should show a life transformation. Instead of being dead to sin, we are now made new in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Being a Christian means we live each day with Jesus, and we should start to produce

fruit as we learn and grow in Christ. As a Christian, we should not be disobeying God. 1 John 2:3-4 says, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

If you fall short in any of these areas, there is still time to fix it, but don't delay. Just stop sinning, turn to Him, ask for His fogiveness and repent of your sins, read your bible and obey God in all His ways. May God bless you all.

WOOD Ministries

Publisher/Sales Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood

wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Editor/Writer: Donna Wood

wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Writer: Lynne Wood

wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Ministries. Contact us @ 905-380-4489, or email us at wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Is God calling you?

Have you been called by God?

One way to define a true Christian is to realize that such a person must be called by God. Jesus stated that, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). God invites many out of spiritual darkness and deceit and into His wondrous truth that fills us with an understanding of that precious truth. Revelation 17:14 tells us that we must be "... called, chosen, and faithful." If we remain faithful, we have the promise of eternal life. Who does God call?

Those who are more apt to see their inadequacies and know they need forgiveness of their sins. Those who are humble and recognize their human weaknesses and mistakes are more likely to acknowledge that they need God's help more so than the powerful and self-sufficient, who fail to see a need for God in their lives.

Not everyone answers that call. The Christian life is a narrow and difficult path and "there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14). However, God's Word reveals that, through

studying His plan of salvation, He is letting most people live the

heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew

human experience under Satan's way. but eventually they will want to go His way. It is then they will realize that the only real truth is God's absolute truth, as set out in the Bible, and that only God can define what is right and wrong, holy and unholy, good and bad. From the beginning, we have always tried to determine what is truth and, as a result, we have rejected God's revelation. Because of that, "... whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).

Wrong choices and decisions that we make can affect the way we worship God. Jesus Himself says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of

7:21). Jesus warns of those who practice their own doctrines wrongly and expect God to honor such worship. If we choose to worship Him our own way, instead of how God tells us to worship Him, our prayers are useless and in vain. Matthew 15:79 says, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

A true Christian worships God according to His instructions as laid out in His holy Word (Deuteronomy 12:32). We are told to strive daily to live

"... by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). Some people do not realize that satan continues to deceive the majority of mankind (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9). They do not understand that satan, '... the god of this age' (2 Corinthians 4:4), extends his lying ways even into teaching and practices embraced by mainstream Christianity (2 Corinthians 11:1315). Once God opens one's mind to His truth though, we are responsible to act on it. If we choose to not live by what we have learned, God will not add anything more to our understanding. We need to truly repent for our wrongdoings, recognizing that it was for us that Jesus was crucified.

What does it mean to repent? It means to change, to turn around, to stop going the way we are going. It means to be truly sorry for our sins, as well as to have sorrow for our inclinations and desires to do the wrong things. Repentance is a process; it is a process of change, or surrendering yourself and turning your life over to God. It starts with having a repentant attitude and turning in the

right direction. God reveals His truth through His Word so that we can understand exactly what sin is to help us know the way of life we are called to live. We learn, through the teachings of the Holy Spirit, how to pass from a sinful way of life to a completely new one where righteousness prevails.

With time, we learn to leave our old self behind; we die in the flesh and begin to live in the Spirit. Romans 8:9 tells us, "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." The Holy Spirit helps a Christian build godly character and shows evidence of God at work in his or her life. The Spirit also provides power, love and a sound, godly mind (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

True Christians are willing to give their lives to God and to always put God first. God becomes the head of that household and He helps them to work through any uncertainties that they may be faced with. They learn to walk in faith, to trust in

Is God calling you?

Him, becoming totally dependent on Him.

The rewards are enormous for those who choose to serve God and become true followers of Christ!

If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you have the promise of eternal life! Hebrews 9:15 says, "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

You are a child of God! John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

You have access to God and peace with God! Romans 5:1-2 says, " Therefore, having being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. "

You have been adopted into God's family and can call God your Father! Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father."

You are loved by God! John 15:9-10 says, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."

You have been chosen by God! John 15:16 says, "You did not chose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask in the Father in My name He may give you."

He created and fashioned you and gave you a purpose to fulfill. You are not an accident! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

You are accepted! Ephesians 1:6 says, "...

to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."

He cares for you when you are weak!

Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

You are forgiven!

Romans 8:33-34 says, "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

You are free from condemnation! Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

You are a new creature in Christ. You have been transformed!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new."

God will strengthen you to do all you need to do! Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

God will not leave or forsake you! Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'

You are a heir with God and a joint-heir with Christ! Romans 8:17 says, "And if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

You have an inheritance in heaven! John 14:2-3 says, "In My Father's house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come

again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

You are able to overcome! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'"

God's righteousness has been inputed to you! Romans 4:23-25 says, "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised because of our justification."

You have an advocate! 1 John 2:1-2 says, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

God is working in you! Philippians 1:6

Is God calling you?

says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

God has given you a lively hope! 1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

He will protect you to the end! John 10:27-29 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and noone is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."

You can have full assurance of faith!

Luke 12:32 says, "Do

not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

You are complete in Christ! Colossians 2:10 says, "And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

Nothing can separate you from God's love!

Romans 8:35-39 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Written by: Donna Wood

Photo by: Heidi Power

Answers to Questions About Prayer

A great book to have for learning how to pray!

Book by: Dr. David Jeremiah

Written by: Lynne Wood

Answers

to

Questions about Prayer

by David Jeremiah

has fifty answers to questions concerning prayers. Prayer is wonderful; it's an amazing gift from your Father who loves you. It's strange that some people only think to pray if they're in a life threatening situation. It's the last thing they think of; instead, you should be in constant communication with Him. You can pray anytime of day or night, anywhere you are every single day and He is listening, waiting for you to come to Him. You can pray in a group or by yourself; you can pray out loud or quietly in your mind, or write them in a prayer journal; as long as you talk to Him, it doesn't matter.

How does Prayer draw you closer to God? When we pray, we are talking to God about our hopes, dreams and our problems, much like we would talk to our family or friends. The more we talk to Him,

the closer we become. We begin to see things differently and make better decisions. Don't give up if God doesn't answer your prayers immediately; He is listening and He will answer in His time.

What can you ask for in Prayer? When you pray to the Father in Jesus' name, you can ask Him for anything.

"Ask, and it will be

given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)

When we pray in faith about anything, we don't know what His answer will be, but we do know it will be for good and sometimes far better than you could have imagined.

Why Pray? We pray trusting in God for His blessings in the

present and our future in the name of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. As we pray, we should be grateful to Him for all that we have.

Why is it important to have a regular time of prayer? Even though our lives are busy and we don't seem to have enough time in the day, we need to make the time, even for a few moments to just be with Him.

When we make time to pray in our busy lives, we're letting God know that He is very important to us. Actually, He should be the most important one in your life.

Jesus was so busy during His time on earth, but He always stopped and prayed to His Father. Shouldn't we do the same? If you're not quite sure how to pray, this is the perfect book. He is waiting for you to come to Him in prayer.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

California Hit Hard

California gets hit hard with more rain, more snow from the ninth storm in three weeks

Theninth storm called atmospheric river has hit California in a three week period. It's a series of winter storms that has punched its way through California leaving mountain driving very dangerous and the risk of flooding is high around swollen rivers and any body of water.

Very heavy snow also fell across the Sierra Nevada and the National Weather Service has discouraged any travel.

A major highway, Interstate 80, from San Francisco Bay to Lake Tahoe ski resort has reopened but a chain requirement is needed after periods of weekend closures because of the

severe white outs.

The Sacramento weather office said, "If you must travel, be prepared for dangerous travel conditions, significant travel delays and road closures."

University of California Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab said Monday morning that it had 49.6 inches or 126 cm of snow.

An avalanche warning was issued for Central Sierra, which included greater Tahoe.

An onslot of atmospheric river storms dropped rain and snow on California since later December, which cut power to thousands of customers, flooding roads and

prompting landslides and avalanches.

The last system was weaker than the other earlier storms, but flooding and the landslides risks are still there because the ground is saturated.

President Joe Biden made a trip out to California to see the area that has been so impacted by the storms. The White House said in a statement that the President visited first responders and the state and local officials survey recovery and assess what federal support is needed.

In San Francisco, 20.3 inches of rain fell at the city's airport since October 1st,

when California begins recording the rainfall for the year.

The average amount of the water year is 19.6 inches. The San Francisco weather service said, "So we've surpassed the yearly total with 8 more months to go."

In Berkeley across the Bay, 10 homes had to be evacuated when a soaked hillside gave way sending mud onto the roads and properties. No one was hurt.

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, has signed an executive order to further boost the state's emergency storm response to help communities that have had any kind of damage.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett honors God, 'Good things come to those who Pray,' at Golden Globes awards

Actress Angela Bassett on national TV honored God while she accepted the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards which are held in Beverly Hills, California.

The Golden Globes Awards are recognition given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that recognizes excellence in both the American and international film and television work.

Angela who is 64 years old, was emotional when she accepted her award for the movie that made picture history. Angela was the first to win a Golden Globe for a role in a Marvel Movie.

When Angela gave her speech, she quoted the late Toni Morrison, who said, "Your life is already a miracle of chance just waiting for

you to order its destiny."

Angela said, "But in order for that destiny to manifest, I think that

the truth of that every day as we welcome each new day as a family."

Angela is an

and He is my rock I keep going back to."

it requires courage to have faith. It requires patience, as we just heard, and it requires a true sense of yourself."

Angela also said, "It's not easy because the past is circuitous, and it has many unexpected detours, but by the grace of God I stand here. I stand here grateful, grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for giving me this honor, along with 'Wakanda Forever.'

My mother always said, 'Good things come to those who pray.' I see

outspoken Christian. She has always leaned on the scriptures when she comes across a challenge while she is acting and filming. She said, "Doubt seeped in, but thank God for faith," Angela said this after her directorial debut with the Lifetime film "Whitney," which was released in 2015.

Anglea said, "All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28."

"So I have foundations

Angela always tries to live an authentic faith. She said, "I try to live it out by remaining humble, grateful, and appreciative. I have been trying to be more thankful lately. Whatever it is, I am trying to be thankful. Sometimes it's what I want and expect, and other times it is not what I want at all. I am trying to find a way even when it isn't what I want or the best circumstance, to find a way to be thankful."

Angela also talked about her beliefs. She said, "Love of God makes so much sense to me when other things don't. Life is so beautiful and complex, that it doesn't make sense to me that it was just an explosion. It's my belief system.

I believe that life is precious and we are precious. Every man. every woman, diversity is divine; everyone has a purpose."

Assisted Suicide

Canada's Government Assisted Suicide Program leads World in Harvesting Organs

It'sbeen almost seven years since Canada passed the assisted suicide law, and has become the leader of transplanted organs that are harvested from Canadians that were assisted in suicide.

After the law Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) was passed in 2016, Canadian doctors have since then done almost half of the world's organ transplants.

According to CTV News, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that this new source of transplant organs has accounted for six percent of all transplants from the deceased donors in Canada in 2021. The director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba, Arthur Schafer said, "I was rather proud that Canada has done so well in terms of organ donations by MAID patients." There are 4,000 Canadians who are currently waiting for organ transplants.

MAID is a department

of the govt. of Canada. Currently, a person's decision to end their life is strictly voluntary. Originally, the law was for Canadian citizens who were suffering from some kind of terminal disease. But according to the Canadian Govt. website, "You do not need to have a fatal or terminal condition to be eligible for medical assistance in dying."

After March 17, 2023, The Canadian govt. will allow people "with a mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition" to qualify for MAID, "if they meet all of the eligibility requirements."

According to Health Canada records, 44.2% of MAID provisions took place at the home.

The Third Annual Report on MAID in Canada 2021 shows that there are now eight documented cases in the world where providers offered assisted deaths in the patients' home. Canada had five take place at the home. The MAID patient is given the medication

in their home; they are then taken away by ambulance to the nearest hospital to have their organs removed.

Recently, a paraplegic former Canadian military member had complained to the veteran's department, as her request for a chair lift for many years still had not arrived at her home. Instead of receiving assistance to help her get up and down the stairs pain free, the govt. instead offered to help her with assisted suicide.

Retired Army Corporal Christine Gauthier, who also competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics for Canada, said in Parliament in December that the Veterans Affairs Canada caseworker offered her the opportunity for medically assisted suicide. Christine said, "I have a letter saying that if you're so desperate, Madam, we can offer you MAID, medical assistance in dying." Christine first injured her back in 1989 during a training

accident. She said, "I sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau stating that Veterans Affairs offered me MAID and would supply equipment."

Prime Minister Trudeau said that Christine Gauthier's ordeal is "absolutely unacceptable." He also said, "We are following up with investigations, and we are changing protocols to ensure what should seem obvious to all of us: that it is not the place of Veterans Affairs Canada, who are supposed to be there to support those people who stepped up to serve their country, to offer them medical assistance in dying."

The Veterans Minister Lawrence MacAulay also said in testimony to the same committee that four or five other cases of Canadian military veterans have been given the MAID option. They have now been suspended and the veteran service agent has been referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Message to Iran?

A Signal to Iran? As Israel and the United States air forces conduct joint drills in southern Israel

Israel's F-35 fighter jets and six F-15 fighters from the United States Air Force Central Command took part in multi-day joint drills at Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel, in what could be a message to Iran in the ongoing nuclear standoff.

F-35 Squadron 140 Commander Lt. Col. "M" and Capt. "I" ran the drill from the Israeli side. They both shied away from getting too specific about the F-35's capabilities in regards to any specific country but they did make it clear that they were ready and capable to strike anywhere at anytime the IDF high command ordered them to fly.

Also, the objective of the joint drills and simulated attacks is to train and condition the pilots to hit their targets "deep" in the enemies' region or countries who do not have immediate borders with Israel.

The air force potentially will be ready to attack Iran in roughly

"two to three years."

Recently at a graduation ceremony of air force members, the former defense minister, Benny Gantz, said that the graduates will need to be ready for a potential attack of Iran in "two to three years."

Six Israeli F-35 fighters took off on the training mission, (although Israel didn't reveal the full number of fighters in the mission). Also making opening maneuvers were four of the six American F-15 fighters that took off and conducted their flight patterns.

The Gulfstream G-500/G-550 also known as the "Nachshon" also took off and was

involved to train to gather intelligence.

In December, IDF chief of staff, Aviv Kohavi said, "Israeli air force jets attacking Syria in recent years have at times faced 30 to 40 surface to air missiles, or even in one instance, up to 70 such missiles, without losing a single aircraft."

Without talking about a specific operation, "M" emphasized the power of the F-35's stealth capabilities and that he also had confronted the danger on various missions during his career. He said, "Neither "M" or "I" could discuss the impact of Russia's removal of the S-300 anti aircraft system

from Syria for use against Ukraine, but they did say that the ISF trains constantly for every scenario that its fighter jets might encounter."

"M" also didn't want to mention a time frame concerning the F-35 fighter, as they were grounded on December 25th from flying in any training exercises because of the potential malfunction that was found also in the American fighters, or when they may be returning to the sky to full active duty.

The feeling seems to be that the review of the potential malfunction could be complicated and may take awhile to figure it out.

But "M" was clear that the remaining F-35's available, of which the Israeli's have three squadrons, these squadrons have about 10 to 25 fighters, were plenty as well as other Israeli fighters to help them accomplish their missions that would be assigned to them.

everyone continues to Pray

Damar Hamlin, who plays safety for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, was released from a Buffalo hospital and has returned home to continue his remarkable recovery after his terrifying collapse during a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It started a worldwide prayer by people who were not even football fans and the trend is still going strong with no signs of quitting.

It's not only the fact that Damar survived that traumatic moment and was brought back to life, but it's also about Damar's amazing recovery since the hit, a miracle. A lot of people say it's because of millions of people around the world had turned to God and prayed for God to work a miracle and help Damar and it has continued to this day.

It was an absolutely awful moment when Damar got up only to collapse onto the field, and it's no doubt that it

caused faith to surge to the front in prayer, to see Damar's teammates and many others continuing to pray. That's what the Buffalo Bills Chaplain said.

The prayer moment happened when Damar, who is 24 years old, suffered cardiac arrest after what looked like a routine tackle at the Bill's January 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The game was halted and had been canceled, as the players from both sides were too emotional to continue the game.

On Wednesday, January 11, Damar had been released from the hospital in Buffalo, where he spent a

couple of days to have tests run on him, after being released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Right after Damar collapsed on the field, prayer became the main focus for the players, as both Buffalo and Cincinnati players took a knee in prayer together and Dan Orlovsky, the ESPN analyst, gave pause on the air to pray aloud for Damar Hamlin.

After Damar regained consciousness, he started to communicate with everyone from his hospital bed. He said, "God was using his ordeal to speak to the world."

That is true; everyone

from lawmakers to sports journalists have all pointed to the power of prayer. Just like Paul reminded us to, "pray without ceasing." He said in Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The Buffalo Bills' team chaplain, Len Vanden Bos, agreed that many of the Bills' players immediately knelt and went into prayer for Damar. He said that the incident had opened up some of the players to grasp the power of faith and prayer. He said, "When Damar went down, a lot of us began to pray right away. We have a strong core of players and coaches who are followers of Jesus, so that was our immediate reaction. Some guys were praying, some were crying. A lot of us were in disbelief. We prayed on the field; we prayed in the locker room; we prayed when we got to the hospital."

Damar has opened his eyes; he is showing improvement, as

Damar Hamlin

The prayers had an effect on all that were involved, the Bills' team chaplain explained. He said, "God invites us to pray by listening to Him as well as sharing our hearts and requests. Prayers' purpose is to build this relationship and to align us with His will. It's in this alignment that we grow and learn how to follow Him."

The Bills' players have continued to be open to prayer ever since they came back home from Cincinnati.

The Bills' chaplain has encouraged the players with a verse from the book of Hebrews 4:16: "Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in times of need."

"We had a full team prayer that first day I shared that with them. It's been an opportunity to reach some guys who might not normally come to Bible study or chapel."

Before the game between the New England Patriots, there were many fans in Highmark Stadium

wearing Damar's #3 jersey. The Bills' chaplain gave each player a "3 Realities" card that had three Bible verses:

• God is with us...

Psalm 23:4: "Yea, though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

• Time is limited for each of us... Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: "To everything there is a season, A time

for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted."

• Jesus brings us the victory over death...

1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

After the game, the Bill's Chaplain, Len Vanden Bos and the Patriots' chaplain, Juan Robinson, met players from both teams to pray at midfield, saying "The Patriots have a good core of believers on the team, and we have a strong brotherhood with them. We're rivals, for sure. But after the game, a lot of guys were filled with gratitude for what we had seen God do in Damar's life."

The Bills' chaplain said that there are many strong Christians on all the NFL teams. He said, "You realize they're people just trying to figure it out and do their best like everyone else, except they have a spotlight on them. It was a long and emotional week, but we are so grateful for God's mercy on Damar."

Ryan gave his life to Jesus, while playing in Washington Ryan Walter

yan Walter was born on April 23, 1958, in Westminister, British Columbia. He is a retired professional hockey player who played centre for 15 years. Ryan was also an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He was a head coach of the Canadian National Women's hockey team, also a hockey broadcaster and President of the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey

Ryan Walter was highly animated and energetic. Ryan provided a variety of skills and techniques to help his audiences with both personal and professional development. Ryan won the Stanley Cup in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens. He is a business man and a broadcaster and has lived and experienced why teams win and

Ryan took academic research while taking a Masters Degree in Leadership Business. It had enabled him to do some inspiring presentations;

he had created focus around his POWER TRIANGLE TM concept.

Ryan began his performance career early. He was drafted into the NHL, he was picked 2nd overall in 1978. He was a 6 ft, 195 lb. centre as he became the youngest captain in the NHL history in just his second season with the Capitals. He played in over 1,000 NHL games.

Ryan personally experienced how leadership had affected both struggling teams and winning teams. Ryan's career came to a head in two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, where he won the Cup in 1986, but lost in 1989. Afterwards, Ryan focused all of his energy to business, broadcasting and professional speaking.

Ryan accepted Jesus Christ into his life as his Lord and Savior while with the Washington Capitals. Ryan had been warned to be wary of "that guy," who just happened to be Jean Pronovost; he was a strong Christian who was about to be traded to the Capitals.

When Ryan started to watch Jean, he began to see nothing to be afraid of and he found himself starting to draw closer toward his Christian testimony.

Ryan then started to go to Jean's Bible Studies and not long after, he made a major decision to give his life to Jesus Christ.

Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons who are hockey players.

Ryan Walter with the Montreal Candiens from 1982-1991

Ryan

His oldest son, Ben, was drafted by the Boston Bruins and he played 24 games in the NHL. Joey played with the Langley Chiefs of the BCHL and the Trinity Western University Spartans, and the third son Ryan Jr., played for the TWU Titans in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 as well as the Liberty University hockey team.

Ryan and Jennifer live in Langley, British Columbia.

Ryan Walter

Ryan Walter with the Vancouver Canucks 1991-1992

Aunt Teresa's Chicken

• 4 pcs Chicken • 1 sliced green Pepper

• 2 thinly sliced Carrots •1 lg sliced Onion

• Frozen mixed California veggies

• Sliced Celery stalks & sliced Mushrooms

• 2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup

• Preheat oven to 350 deg

• In 9" x 13" dish, layer in following order: Onion, Pepper, Carrots, frozen Veggies, Celery

• Lay chicken on top; spread sliced mushrooms on top

• Mix 2 cans soup with dashes of garlic, parsley and pepper

• Pour over top, cover with foil

• Bake for 75 min

• Remove foil; bake another 15 min.

1 Timothy 6:7-8

"For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Isaiah 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

When the Israelites first received this promise, they were worn out from their hardship of living in exile in Babylon for several decades. They thought that God either couldn’t help or didn’t care about them any longer. They were exhausted and burdened by their situation. They were weak in body, as well as in spirit.

Isaiah responded to them by reminding them that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who neither grows faint nor weary (Isaiah 40:28). God is our endless source of strength and He gives it to us generously (Isaiah 40:29).

When we are weary, how do we tap into this strength? We can rest, exercise, eat right and do all the things within our power to regenerate ourselves, but this will not give us the deepest

"Fly like an Eagle"

strength we need when we’re at the end of our ropes. There are difficulties in life that even the healthiest people become overwhelmed with. We stumble and fall because we rely on our own inner strength, which is not enough through the storms of life.

This Bible verse is a great promise of

live by faith. By waiting on Him, which is more than just passing time, we can look to Him as the one who works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Waiting can be difficult for most people during challenging times. They get impatient and think that God is too slow or He doesn’t care. Waiting

to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Only power from above can sustain us; only His protective hand can shelter us. When we admit our weaknesses to the Lord, it is then that we are enabled by Him to draw from His everlasting supply of abundant provisions, which enables us to run the race victoriously.

supernaturally renewed strength for the weary. Even though these words were addressed to Israel, they still have an application in the lives of all God’s people. God’s word is true, His judgments are just and His promises are forever for those who believe His word, wait on Him and abide in Him. We are called to turn from any wrongdoing and to

on God means resting in Him and allowing Him to take charge. After all, He is the One who holds our future. He wants us to trust in Him despite the situation or circumstances we are faced with. He has promised that His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in our weakness.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us to, “Come

God is with us in all aspects and tough situations of life; He will bring us out through His unlimited power. Every child of God will be lifted and sustained by His Spirit. We can fly above every mountain, obstacle and challenge just like an eagle, who can go more than 30,000 feet above sea level. When an eagle is chased by an enemy, it heads towards the sun and the enemy retreats. An eagle’s eyes are eight times sharper that ours, and when we put our confidence in God, our spiritual eyes become sharper. The eagle does not run from the storm, but rather uses the storm to lift itself above the storm. When we face

trials and temptations, let us rise above them by positioning our beliefs and minds above them.

I am always encouraged by Isaiah 40:31 because it reminds me that I am not

Isaiah 40:31

alone in whatever difficult situation I find myself in. God is with me and in me all the way and He will give me the strength to be able to overcome any circumstance when I trust

in Him. Remember, it isn’t the burdens of life that weigh us down, it’s how we handle them.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through

the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Isaiah 43:2

When Life becomes Difficult

Gracious Father, I magnify Your Holy name. I stand before You in faith, Knowing that Your promises are eternal. Daily renew my strength, my heart, my soul and mind, enabling me to walk the difficult and narrow path of life, because I can’t do this alone.

By Your

Spirit, I know I can run the race set before me with endurance and dependency on You so that I will be victorious.

This I pray in Christ’s name, Amen

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.”

Isaiah 40:28

Look

at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet heavenlyyourFather feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Thisfaith based new movie called LIFEMARK is about a young man who has tried all his life to hide the fact that he was adopted. But then out of the blue, his birth mother contacts him. Now he will have to decide if he answers and lets his birth mother in his life. LIFEMARK is a fantastic, heartwarming movie that will inspire you. It has a strong Christian view that

Lifemark

that impacted his life. David has kept the secret all of his life that he was adopted, although the teacher suggested that his adoption would make a good topic for his speech, if he can talk about it.

When David gets home, he finds out that his birth mother has reached out to him and would love to meet him. Now David really wrestles with the thoughts of meeting his birth mother. His best friend, Nate, tells David that he thinks it's a good idea for them to meet and he thinks that they should document their whole meeting.

LIFEMARK is a inspiring movie that is warmhearted and was produced by the Kendrick Brothers and Kirk Cameron, who is also a star in the movie. This movie is solid throughout; it also has positive strong Christian values, which makes it so important for these movies to reach out to different people that may be going through adoption struggles everyday.

promotes dependence on God, also believes in God's plan all the way through. It also teaches forgiveness and that we should always love others. It has a great message about pro-life and to chose adoption and the values of life.

David is a senior in high school, and he is turning eighteen soon. He also has an important speech that is coming up about something big

David then decides to meet with his birth mother, and now David has heard also from his birth father and now must decide if he would like to meet with him also.

David has a lot of questions going around in his head. Will David actually be able to meet with his birth father and mother? Will David be able to talk with them? To be open with them? Will he be able to listen to what his birth mother and father have to say about why they had to give him up for adoption?

LIFEMARK has themes about abortion and pro-life issues and adoption. The movie has been getting tough reviews and ratings from the Hollywood elects in hopes of stopping people from seeing this movie. They will do anything in their powers to stop movies that talk about stopping abortion in favour of adoption.

There isn't anything graphic in LIFEMARK; it just comes with a heavy subject.

Starring: Kirk Cameron, Raphael Ruggero, Alex Kendrick, Rebecca Rogers, Dawn Long, Justin Sterner, Marisa Hampton.

Runtime: 120 minutes

“Inspired by a True Story”

Lives in Me

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20